Chapter 90
25 Points Chapter 89 The Showdown I couldn’t be bothered with the call and hung up impatiently. I charged toward Queenie’s office without knocking and threw the door open. It hit the wall behind it with a loud crashing bang, as I do. “Those comments are even more savage than the video! This’ll teach her-hah! Serves her right! Now let’s see how Claire p> Inside the office, I found Queenie lounging in her plush crimson leather chair with her legs crossed over the top of her polished desk, cackling over the call, whom I could only presume was Breanne. The sudden crash shattered her previously relaxed state. Queenie sprang upright from the chair, whipped around to find me standing in the doorway. The next second, she quickly ended the call and spluttered indignantly, “How dare you, Claire?! You-you just barged into my office without knocking! I could have you fired for this invasion of privacy on a superior, you know p> “It was you who filmed that video online?” I ignored her outrage, striding forward without hesitation. I seized her by the collar and demanded in an arctic tone, “Answer me p> “What video? What are you even talking about? Let go of me! I’m your superior! You’re overstepping, and I plan to report this harassment to HR!” Queenie’s eyes darted nervously, feigning ignorance. I clenched my jaw, barely restraining the urge to slap her. “Still pretending, Queenie? Fine, I’ll bury your career with the evidence of your crime.” I abruptly released my grip. “I’ll go pull the company surveillance footage right now. Then we’ll see exactly who filmed it p> With that, I spun on my heel and marched toward the door to go straight to the security room. I knew how people like Breanne and Queenie operated. She would have been too distracted with the villainous idea of posting the doctored footage she managed to capture, to the point of completely forgetting about the security cameras throughout the building. With those tapes available for review, her scheming betrayal would be exposed for all to see. In the end, it would be Queenie who was shamed, and not me. “Claire!” Queenie screeched after me, “Stop right there! The security room is off-limits to anyone below manager level! Who the hell do you think you are, acting like you’ve got authority p> I paused, then turned slowly. A mocking smirk curled my lips. “Then let’s go ask the general manager together. We’ll see what he says, and whether I have the right p> “Ha! Nice try, but my cousin has already left for the day. You’ll have to wait until morning to pursue your pathetic attempts to deflect.” Queenie smirked triumphantly, popping her hips as she posed herself as the < Chapter 89 The Showdown superior on duty. +25 Points “Wrong again, b***h! His light is still on. I only came here to give you a chance to confess. Now, I will involve Mr. White p> No sooner had I spoken those words and turned to act on it than Queenie sprang up like a cat with its tail stepped on, launching herself recklessly at me, desperately trying to seize my wrist. I predicted this desperation and managed to sidestep with cat-like reflexes. However, maddened by her failed grab, Queenie grew more frenzied, yanking violently at my sleeve, dragging me off balance and stumbling towards her. “Let go!” I snapped in anger. I kicked my foot out to the back of Queenie’s knee and knocked her into a forced kneeling position. This was a trick that Lucien had taught me as a child. He always wanted me to be able to protect myself if he wasn’t around, and it looked like those instincts were kicking back into overdrive. “You b***h!” Queenie hissed savagely. I saw the flicker of her insulted wolf flash in Queenie’s eyes. It was forbidden to shift here, as there were human employees on payroll, but it looked like Queenie didn’t much care for any rules in place. Within seconds, Queenie lunged at me, and we were locked in a wild, undignified grappling match. “What is the meaning of this?!” A voice like cracking thunder erupted from the doorway. The aura of an Alpha in the room commanded Queenie’s wolf to recede from the surface. I was sure that she’d be punished for that matter in private, but for now, there were more pressing matters to deal with. Liam and Merlin materialized on the threshold. Liam’s eyes were as black as an onyx, his glare fixed on the wild-eyed Queenie, while Merlin stood dumbfounded by the scene. The brawl froze mid-motion. I had a clump of torn-out hair from Queenie’s head, woven through my fingers, and it filled me with joy as I could see the follicles of scalp on the ends. I hurt the b***h, and it felt liberating. Liam charged between them, pulling me protectively behind him as his glare could have frozen hell. “What possible reason could you have for attacking Claire?! Better yet, why the f**k were you about to shift on someone wolfless? That is against our pack’s law, and you know this p> “Alpha Sterling, I-1-” she stammered. Liam gave her no interest, turning to Merlin with a voice dripping with icy authority. “Mr. White, I assume you witnessed everything as I had p> Merlin frowned with uncharacteristic fury. 2/3 +25 Points “Indeed. Queenie, as a senior executive, how could you brawl with a subordinate here? Completely unbecoming of your position! Additionally, there is a signed contract acknowledging that shifting is not permitted while on company property. You are lucky the humans on this floor have already left for the day p> “I’m so sorry, Merlin… I lost my temper! But it’s all Claire’s fault. She falsely accused me of filming the video with the old man and leaking it online. That’s why I reacted that way!” Queenie hung her head, her voice trembling with suppressed sobs. “Yeah, right.” My icy laugh cut through her excuses. “If you’re innocent, let’s check the surveillance tapes- your desperation to stop me screams you’re guilty! Again, you were willing to shift and attack me as a wolf to prevent me from making that request. If that doesn’t state your guilt, then I don’t know what does p> I arched my brow and crossed my arms defiantly as I glared at her. Queenie flinched violently, naked panic flashing in her eyes. “That’s enough.” Liam grabbed my wrist firmly and fixed Merlin with a challenging stare. “We’re reviewing the footage now. I assume you have no objections, Mr. White p> Merlin’s eyes widened briefly before his composure returned. “Of course, Alpha Sterling. After you p> By now, the truth had to come out. Without another glance at Queenie, the three of us strode toward surveillance, leaving her standing alone, face ashen. 437 Lucia Morh Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.